Gophernomics

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Thomas Holmes, chair of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Economics, for a conversation about teaching, research, and life behind the scenes of Minnesota Economics. Professor Holmes discusses how he discovered economics as a first-generation college student, what drew him into research, and what keeps the work engaging after decades in academia.

We explore how the field has evolved — from new technology and AI in research to shifting classroom dynamics — and what remains constant, like the value of in-person learning and authentic student interaction. Professor Holmes also shares insights from his research in applied microeconomics and industrial organization, touching on competition, healthcare, globalization and tariffs.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at academic life for anyone curious about economics beyond the classroom, how departments function, or what an academic career really entails.

We hope you enjoy!

In this episode Aastik Mishra joins us to share his journey as an international student navigating college, friendships, and leadership from the ground up. He reflects on what he learned through leadership roles in ESO (Economics Student Organization) and his work as a peer advisor, and how those experiences shaped both his confidence and direction. We also talk about grad school—what worked, what mattered, and the mindset that helped him earn acceptance into multiple highly ranked master’s programs in finance. Honest, insightful, and incredibly motivating.

In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany and Annie, the Senior Academic Advisors for Economics who do far more than just schedule classes. They pull back the curtain on everything that goes into making the Econ undergrad experience richer and more intentional—from Women in Economics to the D.C. and NYC career exploration trips to building courses like ECON 3202 (Careers by Design in Economics). If you’ve ever wondered how these opportunities come to life (or who’s fighting for them behind the scenes), this episode will give you a whole new level of appreciation.

In this episode, Riley Stern shares how she discovered her passion for research, landed her very first project, and steadily built her skill set through multiple experiences—including her current work with Heller-Hurwicz Economics Institute. She breaks down what actually makes an application stand out, what faculty look for, and how to position yourself. This episode is equal parts encouraging and practical—and a must-listen for anyone even thinking about research.

Three majors. Big goals. Honest perspective.

This week, we talked with Margaret Xiao about how mentorship completely reshaped her understanding of what’s possible. She opens up about managing an intense academic load, finding balance, and learning—through others—to trust her own capabilities. Margaret also shares concrete advice on how to actually connect with people, build genuine relationships, and form a circle of mentors who help you grow. Thoughtful, motivating, and quietly powerful—this episode hits.

Oooh boy — this one’s a big one.

This week, we sit down with the legendary Anushka Raychaudhuri, and the conversation covers everything you didn’t know you needed: elite movie takes, the best campus restaurant, the chaos and joy of getting involved, how she landed an internship as a sophomore, what Equity Research actually is, and how to create balance without losing your mind.

This episode was an absolute blast to record—packed with great stories, sharp insights, and so much more.

Huge shoutout to Anushka for literally trekking through a blizzard to make this episode happen. Dedication level: UNMATCHED!

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Preppernau to talk about how an economics major can turn into a launchpad for quant work. Ben walks us through how he discovered the Master’s in Financial Mathematics program, why econ is such a strong foundation for technical finance roles, and what skills actually matter if you’re interested in that path. We also unpack the very first Econ NYC Career Exploration Trip—what surprised him, what stood out, and why experiences like that can change how you think about your future.

Buckle up — this episode is a blast. This week, we sat down with the one and only Eva Basile, and the conversation goes everywhere: why an Econ degree is actually awesome, which classes are GOATed, how getting involved can turn you into a BALLER, and what really happens in HHEI research.

Expect goofy stories, Stoic wisdom, and at least one moment where you’ll wonder, “How did we even get here?”

Apologies, you may hear a few audio bugs. We’re working with rented mics that apparently have strong personalities and the occasional technical difficulty. Thanks for powering through — it’s 100% worth it.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Hansen, a current Economics BS major graduating in spring 2026. Michael shares his student experience, discusses career paths he's considering after graduation, and explains how he's applying what he's learned in the economics curriculum to real-world professional settings. Want to connect with Michael? Find him on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more interviews!

In this episode, we talk with Professor Adway De, our first guest faculty speaker. Our conversation covers the basics of why he chose environmental economics as his field of study, his experience being a lecturer at the University of Minnesota, and insight into his job function as an Energy Economist at the State Department of Commerce. If you would like to learn more about Professor De, here is a link to his LinkedIn, and feel free to email him at [email protected]. We hope you enjoy this conversation, and stay tuned for more faculty interviews!